N.C. State coach Tom O'Brien praises UCF's defense

UCF coach George O'Leary says Knights' defense improved against South Dakota when players stuck to their assignments

September 6, 2010|By Iliana Limon, Orlando Sentinel

N.C. State Tom O'Brien said he expects his offense to be tested against UCF.

"Central Florida is the first of nine teams that played in bowl games last year that we have on our schedule," O'Brien said. "Last year they had the fourth-best rush defense in the country, and they are the preseason pick, I think, to win their conference."

"They are a really good defensive football team."

O'Brien said he expects UCF's offense to lean on its rushing attack. When the Knights upset N.C. State in 2007, UCF had 206 rushing yards and 93 passing yards.

"It's a big, strong, powerful offensive line and they like to run the football," he said. "The one thing that is new for them this year offensively is that they ran some option, so we'll be ready for some option defensively on Saturday night."

Quick hits

•UCF coach George O'Leary said a lot of players on defense gambled to try to make plays early against South Dakota instead of sticking to their assignments. "We had a lot of players sticking their noses where it didn't belong," he said. O'Leary added that once the players followed the game plan, the defense was more effective.

•O'Leary said he was pleased with the way junior QB Rob Calabrese handled South Dakota's blitz in the season opener. "They sent pressure, but you know I thought Rob did a good job of keeping his vision downfield and delivering the ball on time," he said.